Movie Review: The Duplass Bros.’ Cyrus, starring John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Marisa Tomei and Catherine Keener (with trailer video)
[Editor's Note: Cyrus opens Fri., July 16 at Regency Square Brandon, AMC Woodland Square, Regal Hollywood and Regal citrus Park. Check it out! And for more reviews of the biggest movies of the summer, check out the Daily Loaf Movie Review Index.] Summer 2010 is fast becoming the Summer of Duds, with a worrying majority…
On the Radar: Mexican director Alejandro Gerber Bicecci’s Becloud (Vaho) screens for the Global Lens Film Series
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendars for. Is the summer Hollywood box office disappointing you? Are you tired of cliché chick flicks that end happily ever after (lucky assholes)? If you see Tom Cruise in one more film, are you tempted to jump on and then off…
Recipe: Honey and peach ice cream
Living in Florida, it can be hard to tell when Spring rolls into Summer without looking at the calendar. One sure sign for me is the arrival of stone fruits in the markets, especially peaches. Around this time of year, peaches are everywhere, from the farmer’s markets to the grocery stores to the roadside stands…
On the Radar: the Slow Food revolution comes to Tampa Bay
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendars for. The international Slow Food movement has opened a new chapter in Tampa Bay, dedicated to educating people about local food and promoting sustainable farming methods — and that means a celebration is in store. For their first event next Thursday,…
NHL free agent frenzy – live chat Thursday at 11 a.m.
Join Mike Corcoran, co-host of The Bolts Beat and Lightning beat writer for Creative Loafing as free agent frenzy gets under way. The fun should start right around 11am eastern Thursday and go as long as there is news to discuss! We will cover all the news the Lightning may or may not make. Click…
Do It Today: Art Nouveau at the Dali, the Big Bang talent and comedy show at Nova 535 and more
Is the summer Hollywood box office disappointing you? Are you tired of cliché chick flicks that end happily ever after (lucky assholes)? If you see Tom Cruise in one more film, are you tempted to jump on and then off your own couch … and over a balcony? Fear not and take no drastic actions…
CD Review: Sea of Bees, Songs For The Ravens
Sea of Bees is the best thing I've discovered so far this year. Code name of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Julie Bee (Baenziger), Sea of Bees is a one-woman act whose debut LP, Songs For The Ravens, has left me spellbound. No kidding, I was thisclose to a car accident this morning because I was zoning out to…
WMNF re-hires 3 employees who were fired last week
WMNF Station Manager Jim Bennett has just sent out an e-mail to listeners and volunteers informing them that the firings last week of full-time station receptionist Julie Scheid and two part-time employees, Music Director Lee "Flee" Courtney and administrative assistant Linda "Lu" Reisinger, have been rescinded. You can read Bennett's e-mail below. Good news has…
Sushi and club soda?: A new take on food and drink pairings
As a chef I have been indoctrinated into the old tradition of pairing wine with food. But as of late I have come to the realization that in order for anything to advance, it must change. And so it has been with food. We have taken the old, and with constant change, have managed to…
The Water Cooler: the Jim Greer wire-tap tapes and much more!
Disgraced PROF official calls Ingram “crazy”; Rick Scott on the debt; Marks on the mark; and Marco’s mortgage mess By Chris Ingram Chris Ingram is “crazy” Just when you thought all things Jim Greer related had settled down, the wire-tapped recordings of Delmar Johnson (the former E.D. of the Republican Party of Florida) and Greer (the…
The Grind podcast 6/30: Vick wasn’t there, soccer fanfair and is BJ Upton high on weed?
Welcome to the first Humpday version of The Grind podcast. Please make a note of the schedule change. You'll find the similarities between the new schedule and the Thursday show uncanny except for the fact that it happens one day earlier. This will no doubt infuriate our 10's of listeners but we've concluded that Thursday…
Get organized: What’s in your bag, carry-all or “man purse”? (video)
Keeping your bag, carry-all or "man purse" is an important part of keeping yourself organized. It doesn’t matter what you carry or what you call it. All of us need something to carry important papers, supplies and personal items in when we’re “on the go”. I spoke with someone recently who said since he started carrying…
NBA free agency looms: LeBron James holds league hostage
It has been two full years since the talk of LeBron James leaving Cleveland for potentially greener pastures first made headlines. With the free agency deadline finally upon us, the talk has come to a head and a lot of teams are very, very nervous. Many fans are already tired of all the discussion, and…
Concert Review: Earth Wind & Fire at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall
(Photos by Tracy May) Amid the hurricane-season thunderstorms, Earth, Wind & Fire came to Clearwater on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. There was no opener, and by 8 p.m. the house was full in anticipation of the performance. With the exception of the Backstreet Boys concert, I’m pretty sure Ruth Eckerd Hall hosts almost the same…
Florida ACLU issues “travel alert” for Floridians vacationing in Arizona over the holiday weekend
In a press release that will no doubt be mocked by its critics, the Florida ACLU today issued what they labeled a "travel alert" informing Florida residents of their rights if stopped law enforcement traveling in Arizona over the holiday weekend. That state's controversial anti-illegal immigration bill, SB 1070, won't go into effect for another…
Learn how to make your home more energy efficient at the free Pinellas Energy Efficiency Project, July 17
On July 17, from 1:30-2:30pm, Pinellas County Extension will host a free residential energy efficiency course led by University of Florida faculty. This educational course will provide materials (free compact fluorescent light bulbs to all participants), tips and incentives to help your home become more energy efficient, while maintaining the same comfort level. More importantly,…
Tonight’s Top Chef D.C. episode preview: Pies and picnics
We're now down to 15 contestants on Top Chef: D.C., the challenges are getting harder, and I still haven't come up with snarky nicknames for all of them yet. For their Quickfire, some Rockabilly-looking dude (much like a brunette version of Johnny Bravo) gives the chef'testants the challenge of creating a pie. I'm assuming this…
NHL free agent frenzy and the Tampa Bay Lightning
July 1st. Christmas for a lot of teams in the National Hockey League. Yes, July 1st is the day that most NHL fans wake up too hoping to find that big gift they have had their hearts set on. For Lightning fans, lets hope that they find a piece of coal in their stocking. For…
Dingfelder out, but soon back in as Dem County Commission candidate? Dan Gelber in Tampa discusses resignation flap, and Hillsborough County Mayor proposal goes before Charter Review Board: Mitch Perry Report: 6.30.10
There have been several twists and turns in the past week regarding the status of former Tampa City Council members John Dingfelder and Linda Saul-Sena, who are aspiring for a bigger portfolio for their political brands by running for Hillsborough County Commission. Read the latest here. There's a bit of an imbroglio in the Democratic…
Charter Review Board meeting gets heated at public hearing Tuesday night
The agenda for the Charter Review Board of Hillsborough County Tuesday night was to discuss repealing the position and functions of the county internal performance auditor and also repealing veto powers of a county mayor, a position that has yet to be created. Board member Jan Platt tried to set the tone for the night’s…
Gelber calls Aronberg camp’s criticism of his timed departure from law firm representing BP as “absurd”
Yesterday we posted several exchanges between the Dan Gelber and Dave Aronberg campaigns, as the first real fissure in an otherwise genteel campaign for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General broke out in a fury, beginning Monday night when the Aronberg camp called on Gelber to resign from his place of employment, the law firm…
Dingfelder on quitting County Commission race: “Sword of Damocles” no longer hovering above him
CL caught up with former Tampa City Councilman and now former Hillsborough County Commission candidate John Dingfelder last night at Mise en Place, the site of a fundraiser for Democratic Attorney General candidate Dan Gelber. It was just hours after he had released a letter to his supporters and the media, in which he announced…
CL Food needs your help! What local dining guides would you like to see?
As you've probably noticed, we've been compiling dining guides for various locations around the Tampa Bay area. Now we want to think outside the box a little and feature themed dining guides. From best places to brunch to killer coffee houses to late night dining spots (after a long night at the bars), there are…
All-natural, non-toxic cleaning made easy with the WayClean bottle
Love the idea of green cleaning but never can remember the recipes for those all-natural cleaning solutions? One little spray bottle has the solution because the cleaning solutions are listed on the bottle! No more searching the internet or racking your brain. The do-it-yourself method of non-toxic household cleaning now resides at your fingertips on…
The Thinking Dog Blog: Coping with the death of a pet
Not long ago, I heard sad news. Ideal, a dog I have known and loved for 7 years, had died. She died peacefully, in her sleep, which was comforting, since she was coping with osteosarcoma and other health issues. Ideal was a gentle, loving soul. Several of her puppies are service and therapy dogs and…
NASA wants to put your “Face in Space”
Two years ago NASA offered to send your name to the moon, in a campaign that eventually filled the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) with 1.6 million names submitted by the public. Now NASA is upping the ante and offering to put your "Face in Space." That's right, folks, your picture could be put onto two…
Rays fall short in Beantown, lose 8-5 to Red Sox
Well the Tampa Bay Rays showed they could lose just as well without B.J. Upton in the lineup Tuesday night. He sat for most of the night and the Rays scored five runs on 12 hits, but it wasn’t enough to get it done as the Boston Red Sox got the better of them 8-5…
Do It Today: Unravel the mysteries of the Moon Museum at the Tampa Museum of Art, Ted Nugent has a stranglehold on Ruth Eckerd, and the “Loverly World of Lerner and Loewe” in St. Pete
When telepathic aliens in zero-carbon-footprint space ships happen upon whatever remains of homo sapiens in the next millennium, one of their oddest encounters might be with a postage stamp-sized ceramic chip on the moon. The so-called Moon Museum (pictured) takes the form of a wafer-thin tile imprinted with drawings by famed artists Robert Rauschenberg, David…
On the Radar: Undressing the Feminine at the Mindy Solomon Gallery
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendars for. This weekend, the Mindy Solomon Gallery asks — What does it mean to be female? Is femininity an innate trait or the sum total of gender-specific expressions? Artists working in a variety of media will confront those kinds of thought-provoking…
What’s your porn taste?
While many devour any type of porn available, the over-produced pornos with the perfectly shaped millionaire pornstars don't appeal to everyone. Many people appreciate the amateur or home grown variety—-the kind that doesn't end with the male spewing cum across the room or spraying the female in the face. Amateur male porn performers usually finish with a…
CD Review: The Roots, How I Got Over
I have a small confession to make. I'm a longtime fan of The Roots, but I've always harbored a little hate towards these icons of hip-hop. It wasn't the sort of jealousy aspiring artists sometimes have towards people more successful or famous than themselves; I'm not that dude. And it certainly wasn't the music. How I…
St. Pete Pride: 80,000. Protesters: 6.
The good guys won last weekend. Not talking about the Rays, obviously (OK, they won one) or the U.S. vs. Ghana (Could you have kept the cheers down just a little bit, loud South African guy at Queenshead?). No, I mean the score at St. Pete Pride: SPP marchers and celebrants, 80,000. Protesters, 5 or…
Hillsborough County Dems to meet on Wednesday – local chair says they’ll stay with Dingfelder – Saul-Sena says she’s not quitting race
Lots of activity in the cases of John Dingfelder and Linda Saul-Sena on Tuesday afternoon, less than a week after they both stunned the region with their sudden resignations from the Tampa City Council due to their failure to complete paperwork to the supervisor of elections office that they would be resigning to run for…
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Wednesday, June 30: Parkshore Grill Banfi Wine Dinner. If your keyboard isn't drool-resistant, read no further: tonight's menu of freshly-picked, organic ingredients includes a five-course, wine-paired mouth-watering menu of house-made mozzarella with white anchovies, roasted baby beets and grilled focaccia paired with Masschio, Prosecco; lemon-savory baked hogfish, local peaches and heirloom tomato fuedo sartanna, paired…
Animals continue to feel effects of oil spill
Amid all the finger-pointing and apologies, animal life in the Gulf continues to be endangered by long-range fallout of the BP oil disaster. Birds are the most visible victims. They can be exposed to oil when floating on the water's surface or diving for fish, and oil can not only prevent them from flying, it…
CD review: Ozzy Osbourne, Scream
I’ll be honest here. Upon first hearing Ozzy was recording a new album, I thought to myself, "Why?" Looking at this guy stumbling and mumbling around all half aware on The Osbournes gives the impression that merely sitting in a chair is not the easiest of tasks for the Prince of Darkness-turned -crusty, lovable reality…
Dingfelder quits Hillsborough County Commission race
If last week's resignation from the Tampa City Council by John Dingfelder wasn't stunning enough, Dingfelder one upped himself today by announcing he's dropping out of the race to run in the District One Hillsborough County Commission race. In a letter sent to supporters today, Dingfelder wrote: I've given this decision a lot of thought…
More in Wu-Tang-related news: Rza releasing kung-fu movie; John Frusciante handling the score (w/ video)
Shouldn't this have been a headline, like, 10 years ago? Either way, Rza has finally taken the symbiotic relationship between the Wu and kung-fu and packaged it in glorious film form for us. This thing is a capital "H" homage to all those POW! BANG! CHOP! HIYAAAA! (excuse me) kung-fu movies of the 70's. It's…
Movie Review: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, starring Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and his abs, Robert Pattinson, and Dakota Fanning, is the best movie yet (with trailer video)
If you're familiar with the Twi-phenomenon, you already know what happens in Eclipse, the latest installment in the Twilight series. (You've probably already made up your mind to see it, too.) For those still in the dark, here's the plot in a nutshell: Kristen Stewart reprises her role as Bella, a pale, whiny emo human…
Bill’s Sports Binge: More on the Rays spat, a broke quarterback and the eloquent Warren Sapp
I believe the late great Chris Thomas coined the term, "dead Tuesday" since it was typically the slowest sports day of the week. Today's Binge is no exception, so don't worry about filling up on bread. The fallout continues from the dugout spat between dreamy-eyed Evan Longoria and vacant-eyed BJ Upton Sunday night. With the…
CL Interview: British pop jazz piano-rocker Jamie Cullum, who plays Ruth Eckerd Hall on Wednesday, July 7 (with videos!)
Describing Jamie Cullum as the UK Michael Bublé would do a disservice to the English musician and grossly underscore his own undeniable talents. Sure, both men are the sexy stars of modern pop jazz, but the similarities end there, Bublé’s swinging Frank Sinatra charm a sharp contrast to Cullum’s wild Jerry Lee Lewis appeal. Cullum…
Aronberg campaign manager blasts Gelber on timing of resignation
UPDATE: The Dave Aronberg team is reacting strongly to Dan Gelber's press release issued earlier this morning (read below) regarding his resignation from Akerman Senterfitt, the law firm he has been employed with, weeks after that firm began defending disgraced oil giant BP here in Florida. Alison North Jones is Aronberg's campaign manager. Speaking to…
Mexican-style grilled corn recipe: A union of sweet, smoky and salty goodness
Summer and the Fourth of July weekend is already upon us and, besides fireworks, that brings one thing to mind: grilling. Most of you will probably be cooking up the usual burgers, hot dogs, steaks, etc., for your summer parties and celebrations, but have you considered using the grill to prepare side dishes? Try this…
Bamboo: The sustainable material of choice for the eco-conscious fashionista
Many eco-friendly people are aware of “sustainable” items like reclaimed wood and sustainably grown forests, or wind farms designed to provide long-term energy solutions. Are there People are wearing plants? Actually, bamboo is able to be easily converted into a soft and silk-like material that offers tremendous durability and the ability to be machine washed…
Cougars: are they still hot or just horny hot messes?
As middle-age quickly approaches and those tell-tale signs of age creep up on my looks, I've started to wonder if I still got it or if I only still got it for my age. Although many people tell me I look far younger than I am and that age is simply a number, the number…
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows epic, life altering trailer hits the net (full trailer video included)
So it is written, so it shall be done. The most popular literary series of our generation and it's foray onto cinema screens is coming to a thrilling apex. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is due in theaters in not just one, but two epic chapters. If all the hype rings true, this will…
New music releases out this Tuesday, June 29: Alejandro Escovedo, Hey Marseilles, Eric Darius, The Indigo Girls, M.I.A., Scissor Sisters, 3OH!3, and more (with audio + video!)
This week’s new music releases. To see last week’s breakdown of releases (out June 22), click here; for releases out June 15, click here. 3OH!3, Streets Of Gold (Atlantic) And Hell Followed With, Proprioception (Earache) Peter Case, Wig! (Yep Roc) Eric Darius, On a Mission (Shanachie) Tampa's own modern jazz fusion singer and sax player…
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt: transgender or victim of the media?
Everyone remembers Shiloh Jolie-Pitt's christening, right? King Pitt and Queen Jolie assembled a royal ball, a celebration for all in the land. Celebrities came from 'round the globe, offering blessings and gifts — but just before one of the three good fairies (was it Nathan Lane?) could bestow his blessing, a dark cloud appeared. It…
2 Tampa Police officers shot and killed overnight; Why Tampa City Councilmembers should consider 2011 candidates when choosing interim appointees, and Marco Rubio, no longer the “it” boy? Mitch Perry Report 6.29.10
A tragedy in Tampa this morning as two police officers were shot and killed after they pulled over a motorist at a traffic stop; Marco Rubio was in Tampa yesterday, but the result was a little less rock star like than earlier this year; The race is on to apply for the Tampa City Council,…
UPDATE: Two Tampa Police officers shot and killed overnight
Two Tampa Police officers, Jeffrey Kocab and David Curtis, both 31, were shot in the head at 50th Street and 23rd Avenue early this morning after pulling over a car at a traffic stop, and have both died. The St. Pete Times reports: Curtis pulled the car over at 2:15 a.m. because it did not…
Where is the love for Marco Rubio?
On Monday, the defacto Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, Marco Rubio, made two appearances in Tampa. One at a downtown lunch/fundraiser at the Tampa Club, followed shortly afterwards with a campaign appearance at Datz Deli off of MacDill Avenue in South Tampa. As Adam Smith reports in today's St. Pete Times, the crowd was…
Creative Loafing Political Profile: Who the hell is Jeff Greene?
Jeff Greene is staring at me with a somewhat bemused grin. I’m reading to him a quote from an article published earlier that day in Politico, the online political website, that references the fact that Mike Tyson was the best man at his wedding, and former madam Heidi Fleiss was a housemate. The story goes…
Hands Across the Sand: The biggest grassroots phenomenon since Earth Day
Hands Across the Sand is a grassroots phenomenon the likes of which we have not seen since the first Earth Day in April, 1970. Last Saturday, hundreds of thousands of people came to beaches, lakes and bridges across the planet (see videos below) to join hands together all because one man decided to draw a…
Not a girl, not quite a man yet: a transgender man’s journey
My name is Lian. I am 29 and I am probably considered a freak by some people's standards. I was born a girl but have always felt (and looked) more like a boy, just not quite a man yet. I am now taking steps to find out why I feel this way and how I…
Hey Baby!: Shoot down street harassment without the risk of jail time
We've all been there, ladies. Walking down the sidewalk, zoning out on the latest to-do list, and all of a sudden you're the victim of a drive-by heckle. This harassment not only snaps you out of a very comfortable zone-out session, it also leaves you annoyed and embarrassed—-not to mention it's totally degrading. Instead of…
On the Radar: Carrollwood Player’s slapstick comedy, Monkey Soup
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendars for. Starting this weekend, the Carrollwood Players put on Monkey Soup, a madcap comedy set in 1930s NYC, which they describe as "the sort of movie the Marx Brothers might have made after a hundred cups of coffee with their hair…
Do It Today: Earth Wind & Fire boogie in Clearwater, and enjoy Missy Roll’s voyeuristic portraits (and a cup of java) at Kahwa Coffee
“Boogie Wonderland” is a penultimate disco funk number, ideal for busting your best moves in a Soul Train Line. That classic dance floor groove is one of seven top 10 singles Chicago’s Earth Wind and Fire (pictured) produced between 1975 and 1981 (“September,” “Let’s Groove” and “Shining Star” are among the others). The multiple Grammy-winning…
Method Man pleads guilty to tax evasion
Man, the rap game's been in a little legal trouble as of late. Last week we told you about Lil' Boosie's impending murder charge then Rick Ross getting sued for, well, being Rick Ross. Now, in the latest of these Legal woes, former Wu-Tang Clanner and succesful solo artist, Method Man has plead guilty to…
Concert review: Rays Concert Series with Barenaked Ladies at Tropicana Field
Who doesn’t love the Barenaked Ladies? Both, nude females, and the band are always a hit! On Saturday June 26th after the Rays played the Diamondbacks the Barenaked Ladies rocked the stage on Tropicana Field. The Concert Series at the Trop experience was quite interesting. The Rays won, leaving the crowd elated and ready to…
Trey Rustmann on his candidacy for Hillsborough County Commission, and why he filed a complaint against GOP foe Sandy Murman
Last week Republican Trey Rustmann, running for a Hillsborough County Commission seat in District One, filed an ethics complaint against his GOP challenger, former state House Representative Sandy Murman. Rustmann says Murman began soliciting campaign donations before she filed her paperwork to qualify to run for office two weeks ago. State law requires candidates to…
Giant Gundam suit in Tokyo ready to awe tourists/confound future archaeologists
These types of things are better seen than described — see the video below. It goes without saying that Japan would do something like this. Behold the 1/1 scale Gundam Mecha Warrior being constructed in Tokyo. For those who didn't grow up in the '80s or later, Gundam is a Japanese anime series created by…
Celebrate Brazil’s World Cup quarterfinals win with this refreshing caipirinha cocktail (video)
Whether you're celebrating Brazil's win in the World Cup quarterfinals against Chile this afternoon or just in need of a refreshing cocktail for these hot summer days, be sure to try out this recipe: the caipirinha (kai-preen-ya). It's a blend of sweet and tart, incredibly easy to make, and one of my favorite warm weather…
From Exxon Valdez to the BP spill: Tragedy left in the wake of oil spill disasters
On Thursday, May 20th 1993, Bob Van Brocklin, former mayor of Cordova, Alaska, left a suicide letter that read: “The stress from Exxon which brought about my financial stress, was too much to deal with alone. The end should be good and maybe my spirit will live. I have a lot of fear right now,…
Jeannine Martinez – Contributor
Born and raised in Tampa for the better part of 19 years, I am currently attending endless (if not useless) days at HCC; I’m almost sure of majoring in Mass Communications. I am the proud sibling of a brother who’s inspired me not to use him as a role model, but regard him as a…
Nintendo will not make iPhone games, according to CEO
Sonic the Hedgheog has already made the jump to the iPhone, but it doesn't look like his rival Mario will be following suit. When asked if Nintendo would consider making games for other mobile platforms such as the iPhone, Nintendo President and CEO Satoru Iwata answered unfavorably to the idea. We think Nintendo is a company…
#MusicMonday, Vol. X: Crowded House, Cap’n Jazz, Wolf Parade, Cat Power, and more
Ever wonder what the Creative Loafing music team listens to on Mondays to get us through the day? Here’s this week’s selections. – Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Stay Gold (2010) One of my favorite progressive fusion groups, Oklahoma’s JFJO purveys a distinctive style of avant-garde electro-psychedelic jazz, with pedals used to make the sounds issued…
DVD Review: SyFy’s Warehouse 13, Season 1 (with video)
Warehouse 13 is the latest and greatest TV show from the Syfy channel. The series takes place in a warehouse (duh) that contains the world's most bizarre and dangerous secrets, and follows the special agents assigned protect it. (Imagine The X-Files set in that warehouse at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark and…
CD review: Dominic Miller, November
For the majority of his career, Argentinean-born guitarist Dominic Miller has offered his immense talent in support of other artists. Probably best known as “Sting’s Guitarist”, a title he bears proudly, Miller’s unique sound can also be found intertwined among the work of artists such as Phil Collins, Level 42, The Pretenders, Chris Botti, The…
Cuban Club gets a fresh coat of paint thanks to local businesses
This past Friday and Saturday over two dozen volunteers endured the 90 degree plus temperatures as they helped put new coats of paint on the interior and exterior of the historic Cuban Club in Ybor City. Their labor was provided via a grant from a number of local businesses. Steve Yturriaga is President of the…
DVD Review: Split Ends, starring Corinna May and Vincent Pastore (with trailer video)
When I was in film school, we had a rule: Your first film had to be contained to one minute, with every second you went over knocking your grade. This provided an invaluable lesson in how to determine what is integral to a story and what is self-indulgent. Clearly, director Dorothy Lyman never took Directing…
Fast food news: KFC’s DoubleDown gets revamped, Friendly’s Grilled Cheese Burger Melt, and websites dedicated to all the horrible things we ingest
And we wonder why we're the nation with the highest obesity rate. Read on. KFC has just announced the newest addition to their menu, the Doublicious. If you thought the infamous DoubleDown was bad great, then just wait until you see its new counterpart, complete with "Colonel's Sauce" (I'm guessing it's Thousand Island dressing) and…
Bill’s Sports Binge: USA out, two Rays shout, and Noles retire last boy scout
Rays drop another turd of a hitting display against the Diamondbacks Sunday as they lose the game, and the series, 2-1. But they did show some fight in the 5th inning. Unfortunately, it was with each other. Basically, BJ Upton got caught lolly-gagging after a ball, Evan Longoria later called him a lolly-gagger, then some…
The Magic and Majesty of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: A Photo Review by Rabid Nick Refer
Muggles and Magicians alike, rejoice! Everyone's favorite wizard, England's prodigal son, Harry Potter has landed on Florida soil. Last week, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was unveiled to the public, as a new themed land at Universal Studio's Islands of Adventures theme park in scenic Orlando. With enough hype and pageantry to power a Nimbus 2000,…
DVD Review: SyFy’s Eureka, Season 3.5 (with video)
The third season of SyFy channel hit Eureka arrives on DVD this Tues., June 29 (well, half of it, at least), and fans of the show will no doubt be rushing to stores to catch up with their favorite little town. But what about the non-fanatics who are still debating dropping an Andrew Jackson on…
It’s the people that make Hands Across the Sand unforgettable
I showed up at New Smyrna Beach more than an hour early for the Hands Across the Sand protest, hoping to avoid the inevitable free-for-all parking snarl of beachgoers and protestors. I lucked out — I found a parking spot just next to Chases on the Beach, a designated meeting point for the New Smyrna…
How to respond to negative online reviews about your business
We all love to get feedback and online reviews are a great way to get a check on how we're doing. This great article on Mashable contends that not checking out how your small business is perceived on line is "just plain lazy." And I agree. There are so many places your business can be…
Rick Ross being sued by … Rick Ross? Jay-Z possibly testifying
Well, this is interesting… Miami's own notoriously portly rapper, William Roberts, who most of us know as Rick Ross, actually basedthis namesake off the persona of the real Rick Ross, a notorious California drug kingpin who made a coke-fueled fortune in the mid 80's. Ross (the real one) was eventually busted trying to buy 100…
The Bolts Beat podcast: Dustin Tokarski and Lyle Richardson join
In the first episode of The Bolts Beat, Mike Corcoran and Jon Jordan are joined by Lyle Richardson of Spectors Hockey and Lightning blue chip goaltending prospect Dustin Tokarski. We also preview the NHL Entry Draft and discuss what the Lightning may do with the #6 overall pick. Dont miss "Mike's missed call of the…
CD review: Wolf Parade, Expo 86
When you really think about it, the idea of an indie supergroup is kind of an oxymoron. "Yeah, man, have you heard of Wolf Parade? It features members of Handsome Furs, Swan Lake and Frog Eyes!" Though it's strange to consider groups like Wolf Parade "super," as opposed to, say, The Traveling Wilburys, it's not…
Tampa Bay Lightning select Brett Connolly with first round pick
In the first draft under the new regime, Steve Yzerman and the scouting staff threw everyone a curveball. With top rated defenseman Cam Fowler and Brandon Gormley both surprisingly slipping to the Bolts, the team decided to go against the grain and select right winger Brett Connolly out of Prince George of the Western Hockey League.…
Tampa Bay Rays problems are inside Tropicana Field
Okay, we can admit that we were slightly swept up in the fervor seizing the country after the U.S. soccer's team's thrilling last second victory last week in the World Cup, compelling us to watch Saturday afternoon's game against Ghana over a friend's house. But with the U.S. loss, we wish those of you who…
Metal at the movies: The Big Four with Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth & Anthrax (video and setlists included)
All photos from MetOnTour.com unless otherwise noted. Thousands packed stadiums across Eastern Europe as the fabled "Big Four" of American thrash metal — Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax — shared a stage for the first time. International interest resulted in one tour stop being recorded, edited, and beamed to movie theaters across the globe to an…
CIA Director Leon Panetta says less than 100 members of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan
Although he's been running the CIA for nearly a year and a half, agency director Leon Panetta has kept his nose to the grindstone and been out of the public eye for the most part, which made his appearance on ABC's This Week program Sunday morning a curiosity. One of the most declarative comments the…
McCain says Afghan war can be won, buy only by Obama renouncing July 2011 deadline withdrawal of troops
With the sacking of General Stanley McChrystal from the command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan with General David Petraeus, the important issue of what exactly are the goals of the U.S. in Afghanistan and is it working have taken deserved focus over the past week. In one of his best interviews he's…
West Virginia’s Robert Byrd, longest serving U.S. Senator, dies at 92
West Virginia U.S. Senator Robert Byrd, who had served in the Senate for 51 years, died early this morning. He was 92. His death is not only sad for his loved ones, but frankly, for Barack Obama's agenda. Senate Democrats were hoping he could make it through to vote on a final financial reform bill…
Hands Across the Sand: Photos from around Tampa Bay and the world
This past Saturday, June 26, thousands gathered to once again take a stand against offshore and nearshore drilling during the Hands Across the Sand events worldwide. There were 797 events held in the U.S. and 104 organized outside the U.S., including Kollan, India, and Auckland, New Zealand (see photos below). 6,850 people from around the…
Medium-well: Anthony Bourdain’s new book — Medium Raw — shows the mature side of food writing’s bad boy
Anthony Bourdain has grown up. When he published Kitchen Confidential a decade ago it was a revelatory book, a type of food memoir and explication of the life of a chef that had never been explored in such gritty and loving detail. The tale of his rise and fall and rise as a human being…
It Happened This Week-ish: Lady Gaga’s tumble, Jason Bateman line-cuts for an iPhone, Abercrombie’s naked co-eds are back, The Black Eyed Peas are here to stay and more..
Lady Gaga took a dive at Heathrow airport thanks to her tranny-boots and in my opinion, her feud with Jerry Seinfeld. You don't mess with Seinfeld, he is more powerful than the Black Crusaders, I read that on the interwebs. If there is one thing we have learned from the iPhone launch, it is that…
Do It Today: Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project’s Sordid Lives at American Stage, and Coliseum at Transitions Art Gallery
American Stage’s June After Hours Series includes Prelude to Pride: Sixth Annual Night of Alternative Theatre, presented by The Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project. This year's departure from the mainstream is Del Shores’ Sordid Lives. The dark dramedy explores the dynamic and dysfunction of a Southern fried Bible Belt family that reunites after Grandma Peggy's untimely…
On the Radar: Fourth of July events — where to see the fireworks, who’s offering free admission and more
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendars for. Fourth of July weekend brings the usual explosion of live music and entertainment, fireworks displays, and, of course, modern patriots drunk on the exhilaration of emancipation (and Bud Light). But some local venues remember what today is really all about:…
Rays hit new low, drop game and series 2-1 to lowly Diamondbacks
Oh, that headline hits on so many levels, I don’t really revel in its cleverness. The bats were practically silent again as the Tampa Bay Rays scored a single run on two hits, wasting a solid effort from starter Wade Davis to lose 2-1 to Arizona on Sunday at Tropicana field. Apparently the only thing…
The Green Community week in review: Democrats call on Gov. Crist to ban offshore drilling, hybrid and electric vehicles for Tampa Bay, wildlife affected by oil spill, and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed last week: Markey says Jones Act doesn't apply in gulf spill, foreign ships are helping out he says – Several Florida lawmakers, most prominently Attorney General Bill McCollum and U.S. Senator George LeMieux, both Republican, have been…
Concert review: Everclear at the Velvet Sessions, Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando (with pics)
There were virgins everywhere the eye could see … Wait, let me explain! After a mad dash by car from Tampa to Orlando's Hard Rock Hotel, I arrived at my very first Velvet Sessions, a live music-oriented happy hour held at the hotel every last Thursday of the month. Valet parking? Sure, I'll take some.…
Podcast: Director Rob Williams talks about screening Role/Play for Tampa’s TIGLFF audience
Last week, the organizers of the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF) gave movie fans a rare opportunity to affect a work in progress: They invited writer/director Rob Williams to Muvico Baywalk to show an early cut of his new film, Role/Play, and afterwards opened the floor to audience comments. The cool part:…
Pics from the CL Family Photo Booth at St. Pete Pride: Tag yourself for chance at Melissa Etheridge tickets
What can we say? You were all gaw-jis! In keeping with St. Pete Pride's "Celebrate Family" theme, Creative Loafing set up a Family Photo Booth during the Pride festival on Saturday. Friends, relatives and perfect strangers piled into our booth for group shots, and photographer Chip Weiner captured a full range of very happy-looking families…
Highlights from International Surfing Day on St. Pete Beach
For International Surfing Day, the Suncoast Chapter Surfrider Foundation hosted events ranging from a mini Gulf Coast Concert Tribute, beach cleanup, and Sup Demo. Founded by Surfing Magazine and the Surfrider Foundation, ISD dedicates one day out of the year focusing on Surfing and surfers' local communities. Last Saturday, the Surf Shack on St. Pete…
U.S. Senate legend dies, CIA Director says less than 100 al Qaeda in Afghanistan, and John McCain says the war will change if Obama can renounce July 2011 withdrawal date: Mitch Perry Report 6.28.10
The longest serving member of Congress has passed on; West Virginia Democratic U.S. Senator Robert Byrd died this morning at the age of 92. John McCain went on Meet The Press yesterday and essentially said the war will turn favorably for the U.S. and Afghanistan simply if Barack Obama renounces his previously declared announcement of…
Price is right, Rays take advantage of free bases, beat D-Backs 5-3
looked masterful Saturday afternoon as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 at Tropicana Field. The hard-throwing lefty struck out 11 batters to match a career high. Price gave up just a single walk and was responsible for two earned runs. “When he’s on, you know he’s on,” said Rays 2B Sean Rodriguez,…
Gay after marriage: A bisexual woman figures out how to make it work…for her
What do you do when you discover you're gay after you're already married? I suppose a lot of spouses trip over themselves as they run to find a lawyer. I suppose others cry or yell or throw things. I suppose still more sprout feathers and thrust their heads into the sand. But not my husband.…
New iPhone 4! Now with reduced cell reception!
The honeymoon ended early for many owners of the new iPhone 4 after making their first few calls. Apple fans brought home the new phone only to find out that cellular signal reception was worse than that of the previous models. Although the iPhone 4’s design isn’t purely aesthetic, as the metal band which holds…
St. Pete Pride: Hot day, warm vibe, cool families
The weather was H-O-T, the vibe was warm and a tribe of very cool people greeted Creative Loafing as we marched and passed out papers during the St. Pete Pride Promenade (accompanied by the Chelsea Nightclub fire truck) and took family photos at our booth. We'll be posting those photos soon on our Facebook fan…
Hear Mastodon’s contribution to the Jonah Hex soundtrack
Head over to Stereogum to get a listen of Mastodon's "Indian Theme" from the score to Jonah Hex. It's a great, doomy, Mastodony Mastodon song (sans vocals), but I can't help but think the recording sounds a little flat and reserved. Maybe this was intentional? As not to drown out all the horribly-reviewed explosions, fight-sequences,…
Pride Day Survey: Is U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan gay?
I'm only peripherally interested in the World Cup, but I — along with several other men both gay and straight who popped up from their CL office cubicles as soon as this subject came up — am happy to talk about an Important Question: Is U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan gay? The discussion was prompted…
Television review: TNT’s Leverage, Episode 3.3 “The Inside Job,” starring Timothy Hutton and Beth Riesgraf (with video and spoilers)
Leverage is one of my favorite shows, in that it manages to pull off an Oceans 11-type caper every week yet still be enjoyable to watch repeatedly. Part of this success is thanks to the characters. The Grifter, the Hitter, the Hacker, the Thief and the Brains — they all seem very cliched, but their…
Jackson gives up nine free bases, backs in to no-hitter against floundering Rays
Whoop. Dee. Doo. Edwin Jackson threw a “no-hitter” for the Arizona Diamondbacks in a game the Tampa Bay Rays lost 1-0. Whose accomplishment is this? You have to give a big assist to the Rays. Jackson didn’t exactly throw a great game Friday night. He walked eight batters and hit one by a pitch, in…
Sports week in review: John Wall, Wimbledon, Texas Rangers, World Cup soccer, Landon Donovan, Steve Smith and Dick Vitale impressions
In case you missed it… The Washington Wizards selected John Wall, Kentucky’s freshman point guard phenom, first overall in the 2010 NBA Draft. SportsChump can neither confirm nor deny whether he’ll make any less in Washington than he did while playing at Kentucky. Before Wizards fans get too excited about the pick, they should note…
Fashion and sports merge for a good cause at Rays on the Runway
It was a swanky scene last Thursday night in Tampa at the Rays on the Runway charity fashion show hosted by The Rays Wives and Nordstrom, all proceeds benefiting The Children's Dream Fund. A ritzy ladies-who-lunch crowd was in attendance with their lovely daughters eager to meet and greet with Tampa Bay's hottest athletes, The…
ABC Wine and Spirits wants your wine corks for their ‘Save the Corks’ recycling program
One less item to throw in the garbage: Local ABC Wine and Spirits stores are collecting wine corks to keep them out of the landfills. With the Save the Corks program, ABC is teaming up with Nomacorc to upcycle and recycle the corks through TerraCycle. Natural and synthetic wine corks are accepted. In addition, for…
Kevin’s Korner: Movie news wrap-up, including Amanda Bynes, Joan Rivers, Timothy Olyphant and much more! (with video)
What a week it's been in the movie world! One actress plans to retire early, another is getting sued, and there's a crazy amount of chatter over fantasy casting and a possible move of the date of the Oscar telecast. It’s impossible to keep up with it all, which is why there's Kevin’s Korner. Don't…
Kendrick Meek to participate in Hands Across the Sands event in Tampa – and Jeff Greene explains his WaPo comment that the Koran contains “all kinds of crazy stuff”
We've blogged a lot on both this and our Green section site about tomorrow's international Hands Across the Sands demonstration against offshore drilling, with over two dozen beaches in Pinellas Counties being sites for such events. For Tampa citizens there will also be an event that won't require too much of a drive – that…
Reel Projections podcast: Featuring Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, Toy Story 3 and more …
For more movie news and reviews, check out the CL index of movie posts. We're back for another installment of the Reel Projections podcast, the only CL podcast detailing the week's biggest theatrical movie releases, DVD and Blu-ray offerings and any movie news that catches our eyes. This week, I'm joined by Kevin Hopp, Rabid…
Eminem’s Recovery poised to be 2010’s highest sales debut
Well, Recovery is quite fitting for notorious Detriot rapper, Eminem. Aside from his resilient jump out of prescription drug addiction, it seemed just a few months ago this album was in a state of limbo. Many debated if Em's next release would be just be a set of b-sides from his last album, Relapse, entitled…
Whatever gets you off: The “Stimulus Package” of two Tampa authors
Someone lied to Julia Silva-Rettig and Kirsten Becker, authors of Our Stimulus Package. Publishing a book is probably the worst thing you can do to combat a shitty economy. Most authors don't even make enough money to pay for their book tours. Then again, these Tampa women aren't like other writers. Like Twilight's Stephenie Meyer,…
Catch My Disease: Viral Videos of the Week (June 24)
[Editor's Note: Hannah Walk, a CL college intern, is obsessed with YouTube. We're enabling her addiction, weekly.] Since it's summertime, I clearly have nothing better to do than watch clips on YouTube. It begins harmlessly with the thought, "Maybe just one episode of What the Buck?" Then, following the "Betcha can't eat just one" rule…
Bicycle polo gears up in Tampa Bay
Six cyclists divide themselves into two teams on opposing ends of an empty tennis court. Straddling their bicycles and holding mallets, which look like modified golf clubs, they wait for the match to begin. “Marco!” yells a player from one side. “Polo!” responds an opponent, and a bicycle polo game has now begun. Players weave…
Beer Review: Native Brewing Company’s Native Lager (and defense of the lager-style beer)
I want to start today’s review off with a general defense of the lager style of beer. To many craft beer lovers, the lager style has unfairly become synonymous with American Light Lager, a.k.a.: "BMC" (Bud/Miller/Coors) — fizzy yellow water, “put it back in the horse”, flavorless macro-brew. But the lager is a classic style…
The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers releases his solo debut in September
According to the folks at Billboard, Killers frontman Brandon Flowers has a solo LP, Flamingo, hitting the shelves on September 14th. The first single, "Crossfire", started popping up in the blogosphere a couple weeks ago. It's typical Killers fare; sunny, crooning verses interspersed with big U2-ian chorus. But, wait. The Killer are on hiatus, so…
Although critics say the strategy is faltering, Florida Senator Bill Nelson says he’s pleased by the latest developements in Afghanistan
In announcing that General David Petraeus would be replacing General Stanley McChrystal in leading the U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, President Obama stressed that the strategy would not be changing. That concerns critics of the war. As Newsweek magazine's Michael Hirsch writes today, "Obama's biggest problem now is a rising tide of doubt, not only within…
Hands Across the Sand national event takes place this Saturday in Gulfport and across the world
According to the man who helped organize Hands Across the Sand in Florida, Dave Rauschkolb, there will be a total of 642 events around the world, 599 in the U.S, in 437 cities for a national Hands Across the Sands protest this Saturday. The initial action back in February was led by environmentalists like Rauschkolb,…
“Bride diaper” available in 50 states, gay marriage… not
Something borrowed, something… poo? Okay, I'm no political activist. My fight for gay rights is really only evident by way of still buying Britney's albums rather than downloading them — although I did work for the Human Rights Campaign for one day. (As it turned out, standing in 90 degree weather introducing myself with "Do you…
Hands Across the Sands goes national, figuring out what happens to John Dingfelder and Linda Saul-Sena, and memo to Stu Sternberg: Glad to see you admit your first idea for a stadium was an error:Mitch Perry Report 6.25.10
Four months after Florida environmental activists held a state wide protest against offshore drilling near the Sunshine State, that action goes international tomorrow morning – with plenty of places along the Pinellas coast where one can stand in unison with others protesting the no longer potential fouling of our shores; Somehow our post on the…
Glad to hear Stuart Sternberg realizes it’s necessary to have a/c at Rays games
St. Petersburg City Council expected to have a public conversation Thursday about Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg's dictum that he wants a stadium to be built for his team anywhere in the Tampa Bay area except their current domain, downtown St. Pete. But Council members got a surprise: City Attorney Rick Wolfe said they…
Diary of a cheater: dating in disguise
After first meeting Curtis in Diary of a cheater, his dating/open marriage dilemma has progressed. Curtis is still searching for women to meet, date, and fuck. The offer of an open marriage seems to have made him more confused than gleeful. Most men probably think the opportunity to go out and screw anyone would be amazing,…
Neighborhood Eats: Grand Central
CL regularly presents focused listings of the best dining options in Tampa Bay's neighborhoods. This week we're giving you a guide to restaurants and bars in the Grand Central District of St. Petersburg. ANGELO'S BRICK OVEN PIZZERIA 3002 Central Ave., St. Pete. 727-289-7198 As their name states, they serve up huge slices of New York-style…
Going green on the home front: Tips and gadgets for saving energy and water
Do you know how simple it is to “go green”? Most people think that it means a bunch of radical lifestyle changes and costly home improvements, but the fact of the matter is that it is best to go green in stages rather than trying to tackle the process in a matter of days or…
A Q&A with Sting guitarist Dominic Miller; Sting brings the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra to Tampa next Saturday, July 3
Sting has never been the sort to let his music slip into a comfortable, predictable pattern. Born Gordon Matthew Sumner, his journey as a musician began in the jazz scene of northeast England, where he played bass with a string of ensembles — The Newcastle Big Band, The Phoenix Jazzmen, Earthrise, and Last Exit. He…
A different kind of pride: Girl, I’m lovin’ your curves!
My body is a warzone. Outside forces are fighting for its control: patriarchy and the establishment want it to bestick-thin, blond and busty, but my brain wants it to be anything as long as it's healthy. Frankly, I'm freakin' sick of all this warring; I want peace and this fallout shelter is no place to…
Do It This Weekend: The ABBA Experience, comedy and spoken word showcases, Hands Across the Sand oil drilling protest, The Vagina Monologues, art parties, craft fairs and St. Pete Pride
Just the name alone lets you know Bjorn Again: The ABBA Experience has its tongue firmly in cheek. The satirical yet affectionate and musically faithful stage show about the 1970s hit machine (“Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Mamma Mia”) stops at the Straz Center this Saturday for one night only. The revue (not to be confused with…
At what age is it “okay” to be gay?
I frequently have conversations with people who ask me when I realized that I was gay. When I tell them I'm pretty sure that I was five, they say that I couldn't have possibly known at that age. They say that all kids begin experimenting around that time, but that no one knows they're gay…
Photo review: Acoustic Alchemy at State Theatre in St. Petersburg
Some shots from the Wednesday night show featuring British contemporary jazz group Acoustic Alchemy, led by Greg Carmichael (on nylon-string guitar, right) and Miles Gilderdale (on steel-string acoustic and electric guitars, left), at State Theatre in St. Petersburg. Check out the complete photo gallery (including pictures of the setlists) after the jump.
The Rekers effect: How the choice of anti-gay adoption “expert” Dr. George Rekers backfired on Bill McCollum
If Attorney General Bill McCollum is able to escape the Rick Scott onslaught and face Alex Sink in the fall, he’ll have to answer to Sink on a number of issues. But one he probably never expected to have to defend was his decision to pay $120,000 to an “expert,” Dr. George Rekers, to testify…
St. Pete Pride: Tyra Sanchez and Pandora Boxx of RuPaul’s Drag Race are taking over the town for Pride weekend
Two of RuPaul's fiercest drag racers appear back to back, so to speak, on Friday and Saturday nights of Pride Weekend: Tyra Sanchez and Pandora Boxx. That's Miss Tyra Sanchez to you: winner, nay, queen of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 2. Miss Tyra headlines Pride in Fashion at Macy's, a special event to benefit St.…
St. Pete Pride Promenade and Festival: What’s happening when
Weeks of celebration have all led up to this: the St. Pete Pride Promenade and Street Festival, the largest single-day LGBT event in Florida. This year’s theme is family, and if the usual total of 70,000+ people shows up, that means a whole lot of families will be taking to the streets. If you go…
Rays come to life, win 5-3 to avoid a San Diego sweep
From the pile of ashes that was the first-place Tampa Bay Rays sprang new life Thursday afternoon, as the team impressed in all aspects of the game while beating the San Diego Padres by a 5-3 margin (is it ill-advised to drop a phoenix metaphor with the Arizona Diamondbacks heading into town?). Starting pitcher Matt…
Dingfelder and Saul-Sena could be temporarily kicked off ballot but will still be able to run in November
It's not been a great 24 hours for John Dingfelder and Linda Saul-Sena, two Tampa Democrats who intended to catapult from the Tampa City Council to Hillsborough County Commission later this year. The two intended to serve out as much as their terms before resigning prior to the November 2 election, but instead both had…
Top Chef D.C. Podcast, Ep. 2: Feed the children
This week on Top Chef, sixteen chefs remain — and I still can't remember all of their names. (Maybe because half of them aren't that memorable and my gut instinct tells me they'll probably be sent home in a few weeks anyway.) This week's guest judge was Sam Kass, assistant chef at the White House.…
Hands Across the Sand event locations around Tampa Bay and press conference information
Concerned residents and visitors will hit Tampa Bay area beaches and hundreds of locations in the U.S. and abroad this Saturday to join Hands Across the Sand. Hands Across the Sand began with a statewide grassroots effort in February to demonstrate opposition to coastal drilling. Since the Deepwater Horizon gusher began in April, the ‘risks’…
The Grind podcast 6/24: USA doing fine, Rays in decline and taxpayers whine
Flip Satchel and Bill Freitas are back for your weekly drive-by shooting of sports and entertainment. On today's menu: The Rays seem to be sucking balls lately (today's win over the Padres 5-3 not withstanding). Did we see this coming? Did they peak too soon? Can they stop the bleeding? Is this just a temporary phase…
Kendrick Meek on how Jeff Greene shows the way to avoid a question (video)
It's only been 48 hours or so since Kendrick Meek and Jeff Greene ended their first debate in West Palm Beach, with both candidates predictably sending out releases about how they're guy won the encounter. After Reid Report blogger Joy-Ann Reid posted a somewhat less than clear video on her blog of Greene avoiding a…
Mayor Bill Foster says the city would consider a different location for the Ray’s Stadium, but only in St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg- The Tampa Bay Rays may be looking elsewhere for a stadium, but according to city Mayor Bill Foster the venue should be in St. Petersburg. Foster released his statement to city council members at their meeting Thursday morning. "The taxpaying residents of St. Petersburg and Pinellas have invested hundreds of millions of dollars…
CL Video Interview: Soul artist Mayer Hawthorne
Here's CL's own Arielle Stevenson interviewing Mayer Hawthorne of Mayer Hawthorne and The County at Bonnaroo 2010. Amongst other topics they discuss the merits of vinyl, the pitfalls of analog recording, and a shared sentiment over the bass guitar. Pretty interesting. Check it out below the cut.
Movie Review: Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, starring Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, Kathy Griffin, Don Rickles and many more … (with trailer video)
[Editor's Note: A Piece of Work opens tomorrow, Fri., June 25 at the Tampa Theatre. There will be a Q&A with producer Seth Keal and cinematographer Charles Miller — both recent USF grads — immediately following three different screenings. More details at the bottom of this review …] Getting old sucks. Just ask Joan Rivers.…
Lightning’s Martin St Louis wins Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Who says hockey players can't be gentlemen? Tampa Bay Lightning forward Marty St. Louis took home the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy at the NHL awards ceremony Wednesday Night in Las Vegas. The award is annually awarded to the "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high…
WMNF lays off three, blames massive budget deficits
While community radio stations rarely enjoy times of financial stability, Tampa’s own WMNF always seemed to face its fiscal difficulties with willful aplomb. The station kept commercials at bay with a steady wave of fundraising events and donation drives, surviving on the charity of its loyal legion of listeners and the efforts of a mostly-volunteer…
Green up your office by saving energy and resources
Stuck in the office all day? This is a hardship faced by billions of people around the world each and every day of the year. Why not try to make it a bit more fun and productive? How? By making a concerted effort to green up your office, cubicle, workspace, etc., as much as possible.…
Get sauced: How Tampa’s Intensity Academy turned carrots into gourmet sauce success
Four years ago Michele Northrup of Tampa had a bunch of organic carrots and an unique idea for an all natural hot sauce. Four years later, she and her husband have a nationally recognized, award-winning gourmet sauce company, Intensity Academy. Rewind to 2006. Michele, the head of Public Relations and fundraising for Learning Gate Community…
Can USA’s World Cup dramatics turn Americans into soccer fans, plus video reaction to Donovan’s goal
Is World Cup fever catching hold in America for the first time? That's the question. Video reactions to Landon Donovan's stunning match-winning goal in extra time (see examples after the jump) are popping up from all over the country. The ratings for the 1-1 draw with England was seen by 13 million people on ABC,…
Comedian Janeane Garofalo talks about her new standup special If You Will, plus Obama, religion and the controversy she stirred up on The View (with audio)
returned to the stage in May to record an all-new standup special, entitled Janeane Garofalo: If You Will, that airs this weekend on the EpixHD channel. The actress/comedian/activist joined me this morning to talk about If You Will, her avoidance of the Internet, and why she's so bummed about Obama. Plus, I got her reaction…
Linda Saul-Sena joins John Dingfelder in filing resignation letter late – leaves Council to run full-time for Hillsborough County Commission
Tampa City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena has now joined her former colleague John Dingfelder in resigning from the Council, apparently because of her failure to submit a resignation letter within the proper timeframe as she prepares to run for Hillsborough County Commission this fall. Both Dingfelder and Saul-Sena were missing from the beginning of this morning's…
Dingfelder out at Tampa City Council; Obama more in than ever on Afghanistan; and Nadine Smith asks Obama directly to intervene on Florida’s ban on gay adoption:Mitch Perry Report 6.24.10
Tampa City Councilman John Dingfelder is now former Tampa City Councilman John Dingfelder. Read all about it; A new poll shows President Obama losing the confidence of the public. Meanwhile, his hiring of General David Petraeus yesterday confirms he's all in on "winning" the war in Afghanistan, however that's defined. Equality Florida's Nadine Smith was…
Obama’s choice of Petraeus to replace McChrystal means he’s all in on Afghanistan
A new poll out today indicates a growing lack of confidence in Barack Obama, as an NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey out shows for the first time more people disapprove of Obama's job performance than approve (45% approve, 48% disapprove). As it feels like CL has written in this space numerous times in 2010, the…
Hell freezing over? Mayor to attend a St. Pete Pride event
As the St. Petersburg Times' Michael Van Sickler reports today, the LGBT community is detecting faint rumblings of change in its relationship with the St. Petersburg Mayor's Office. In contrast to Rick Baker, who apparently hid in a bunker somewhere during St. Pete Pride to avoid contact with potential sinners, his equally conservative successor, Mayor…
Hernando County residents come together to talk about the oil spill
A town hall community meeting of sorts occurred Wednesday afternoon at R Beach Restaurant in Hernando County. To a crowd of approximately 30 people, marine biologist Dr. Riki Ott (pictured right) spoke with residents and fishermen about the oil spill crisis. Ott spoke about her experiences with the Exxon Mobil Valdez spill and related her…
John Dingfelder leaves Tampa City Council overnight
Two-time elected Tampa City Councilman John Dingfelder has resigned from his seat in the past 24 hours, saying he needed to do so to keep him eligible for a Hiilsborough County Commission seat that he is running for this November. In a letter submitted last night to his fellow members on the Council, Dingfelder wrote:…
A cry for help: St. Pete Brasserie the latest restaurant to appeal directly to its customers
In the old days, a business owner often felt rather alone in his times of troubles. He could maybe appeal to a few friendly regulars for assistance, but usually his burden went unnoticed until loyal customers showed up only to find a closed sign on the door. These days, there's no need for an entrepreneur…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: Hands Across the Sand protest against drilling, raw foods class, markets galore and more
Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar. Raw Foods Class at Whole Foods- Friday, June 25; 6:30-7:30 pm. In Raw-some 4th of July treats with Dr. LindaJoy Rose, RawFoods PhD – LJ's original "Angel'd Eggs" are better (and healthier) than their devilish cousins and the…
This weekend’s best bets in Tampa Bay area music: The Parachute Musical, Monsters of Sludge Rockfest, Spam Allstars, Leonard Kaage & the Kin, The Grecian Urns, Tommy Emmanuel, and more
A quick breakdown of the weekend’s most worthy concerts (i.e., those ones you need to know about in order to get on with your live music life) from Thursday through Sunday. Yeah, we started on Thursday this week, what of it? For a more comprehensive schedule of this weekend’s offerings and a listing of shows…
The Gay Issue: Family pictures
The Pride Issue, CLGBT and you.
We are families: The LGBT family’s many faces – gay parents, straight children, vice versa and in between
If any of my grandmother's three daughters were going to have a gay son, it was only natural that it would be my mother. My aunts were married young, and pregnant not long afterwards — not unlike my grandmother, who tied the knot at 14. But convention just wasn't for my mother. She had things…
I look too young to date women my age
Man’s youthful looks lead to dating frustrations.
Island Seafood Market in St. Petersburg serves local seafood with a community vibe
There's a truism in the restaurant industry that says if you can survive your first year, your chances of success skyrocket. Look at the failure rates of food businesses and you'll see why that's such a common benchmark. But it's also no guarantee. Island Seafood Market in St. Petersburg's Grand Central district has just hit…
Za-Gay Guide 2010: LGBT Bars, Clubs & Restaurants
Welcome to the 2010 edition of Za-Gay Guide, Creative Loafing's complete list of LGBT bars, clubs and restaurants in Tampa Bay. GAYBOR G. Bar. Half-bar, half-club: When you go from one side to the other, the music changes from clubby fast-paced music to a relaxed atmosphere filled with pop and hip-hop. It's a big stylish…
The Studio@620’s Studio Review reviewed
The Studio@620 applies its artfully inclusive spirit to a new publication.
Gay artist Keith Thomas turns his Internet sex life into art
A gay artist from USF translates Internet cruising into an art project.
How does the earth’s rotation affect the path of a bullet?
I recently read an article about a Navy SEAL sniper. The author lists possible variables that go into determining a shot, one of which is the rotation of the earth. How exactly does this affect a bullet in flight? Also, for my nonsniper purposes, does it affect my gas mileage? —Jason, Sacramento Took a while…
Three music recent releases worthy of your undivided attention
The Black Keys Brothers In nearly a decade of working together, vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney have developed a songwriting chemistry that's reached a creative peak in their sixth and latest album, a tight, cohesive effort and possibly one of the best this year so far. Brothers (Nonesuch) unfolds with gritty grace and…
Florida’s same-sex adoption ban: Who’s for it, who’s against it, and the chances for repeal
The Sunshine State ranks in the bottom half of the country on various critical indexes, such as education spending (36th nationally), uninsured children (49th as of a year ago) and juvenile incarceration rates (48th, meaning we jail more juveniles than 47 other states). But there's one stat where Florida is number one: We're the only…
A new documentary captures the workaholic life of comedian Joan Rivers
Getting old sucks. Just ask Joan Rivers. The comedian, now 77 and still working harder than most people half her age, is locked in a mortal battle against aging. You already know about the legendary amount of plastic surgery she's had during her six decades in the public eye, but Rivers' fight against the clock…
CLGBT: Introducing Creative Loafing’s new gay community website
What's CLGBT? Think of it as the marriage of CL and LGBT — we've been going together for years, but we've decided to make it official (and we didn't even have to move to Connecticut). Creative Loafing, like many alternative newsweeklies, has long been in tune with the LGBT community. We've covered Steve Stanton and…
Kama Sutra: the invisible bed in the alley
The back alley is a dirty place to get it on, so some of you public boinkers are going to love this one. The woman kneels in front of her partner, holding her torso up by her arms which are placed behind her. If done right, her hands should be the only part of her…
Do It Today: Bartlett, Garza, Longoria, Zobrist and more strut their stuff in Rays on the Runway, VYB’s Kanvas hip-hop dance showcase, Parachute Musical plays New World
Nashville piano-driven indie pop rock foursome Parachute Musical plays New World Brewery (so says Music Editor Leilani Polk; I would like to add the addendum that these guys are adorable as all get-out — see photo at left for evidence. Photo by Jamie Clayton). Her Name is Victory and Ex-Norwegian open. 9 p.m, Thurs., June…
Rays show signs of life, lose 5-4 to San Diego
The Tampa Bay Rays got it together for a full inning Wednesday night, scoring three runs in the sixth inning to tie the game against the San Diego Padres at three runs apiece. Persistence by the San Diego batters paid off, as they scored twice more; that would be enough for a win against a…
How dare that Stu Sternberg
How dare Stu Sternberg. How dare he believe that if he transformed one of the least (if not the least) successful teams in all of baseball, that the community where the team resides would support the club. After Sternberg began running the club in 2005 he spoke of changing the team from top to bottom. Many fans believed Sternberg's…
On family, Cougar Town and St. Pete Pride
When I first started writing this post, I was going to question whether a gay person is considered a virgin if he's never had sex with the opposite gender. Turns out it took about 450 words for me to realize I don’t care. So I considered my first posting, about family. I considered the other…
How average are you? Strangers share quirky, funny factoids of everyday life on mylifeisaverage.com
Today (well, not actually today) it started simply enough. Today, I accidentally brushed my teeth twice in the morning, and was seven minutes late for my psychology class. I had some apple juice afterward, and then I went on the Internet. MLIA via mylifeisaverage.com MLIA stands for My Life Is Average, a website which catalogs…
Tonight’s Top Chef D.C. episode preview: Who got high and came up with this? Bravo did.
You thought last week's Quickfire was intense? Well here come the really crazy challenges. This week's Quickfire has the 16 remaining chef'testants teaming up in pairs for a two-armed cooking challenge (read: they're tied together, each with one arm tied behind their back — just watch the preview video). Five bucks says someone gets cut.…
Beat the summer heat over the head with a wakeboard at McCormick’s cable park
Summer is in full swing and the Florida Heat is bearing down. It's time to grab the wakeboard, bust out of the AC, and mix it up with some of this record breaking heat at McCormick's cable park. I've been wakeboarding since '96 and have slacked off a bit since moving to Tampa four years…
The Green Community week in review: Oil spill community forum highlights, eating with the seasons, xeriscaping with native plants for a no-fuss lawn, and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed last week: Help the Citizens Preservation Fund stop a landfill – The Citizens Preservation Fund is seeking donations to help with all legal aspects of fighting this hazardous landfill. Although they have made a lot of progress,…
Top Chef D.C. Podcast, Ep. 1: New faces, new nicknames and Padma’s new rack
After a long (week long, that is) break after the train wreck excitement that was Top Chef Masters, we're back in action, chatting about and making fun of the newest season of Top Chef. Last night, we were introduced to the 17 fresh faced contestants who were promptly hazed into the competition with the mise…
Reel Projections podcast: Green Zone, The Fourth Kind and more …
For more movie news and reviews, check out the CL index of movie posts. Click here to listen to Reel Projections — Episode 14: Life in the Green Zone And we're back for another installment of the Reel Projections podcast, the only CL podcast detailing the week's biggest theatrical movie releases, DVD and Blu-ray offerings…
Reel Projections podcast: Shutter Island, Teeth, The Wolfman and more …
For more movie news and reviews, check out the CL index of movie posts. Reel-Projections-Episode-10_2-17-10.mp3 It is my pleasure to re-introduce the Reel Projections podcast. Some of you may remember the glory days of Reel Projections, back when Sal interviewed Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons or I talked to MST3K and Rifftrax main-man Mike J. Nelson.…
Katie Machol — Food & Drink Editor
After a studying TV broadcasting and realizing that she had a different calling, Katie received her culinary training at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Tampa. Her work experience in the food industry includes the kitchens of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, Tastings wine bar, and an internship as a…
